Crate Free USA Volunteers: Meet Layla Gallagher

Here at Crate Free USA we are extremely grateful to our strong team of volunteers. We all come from diverse backgrounds with unique skills and passions with one definite thread — our desire to improve the lives of farmed animals.

Layla Gallagher works in refugee resettlement, refugee protection and criminal justice. She has worked for leading international NGO’s and non-profits including Amnesty International, A Just Australia, Refugees International, RefugeeOne and Heartland Alliance. She’s also a member of UN Women public affairs committee and UNICEF Unite, Chicago.

She joined our team as a volunteer in 2016 and has been an integral part of our team ever since.

I volunteer at Crate Free USA because I am passionate about animal welfare. The mission of CFU spoke to me as I think it is

imperative that we stop at the very least the cruelest methods used in rearing farm animals – gestation crates being one of them.

I also think that it is essential that we educate the public about how farm animals are really treated so they can make informed and more humane decisions when buying products derived from animals reared for food.

I have been an animal advocate since the age of 13 when I became vegetarian! I did a school project  on vivisection and read and watched everything I could get my hands on about animal welfare. I then began joining various groups and have supported many groups over the years in the UK, Australia and the USA including Redwings Horse Sanctuary, NAVS, Animal Aid, Greenpeace, Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS), the Humane Society, the Humane League, ASPCA, MFA, Chicago Alliance for Animals and Mercer Animal Rescue (MAR).

I can’t remember when I first learned about how animals on factory farms are treated as I have been involved and aware of the inhumane treatment of animals on factory farms for many years through my involvement in these and other groups. I have learned a lot regarding the specifics of farming techniques and methods in the USA  from my role at Crate Free USA, and from talking to and meeting some of the great people and organizations we work with.

I think CFU is unique as its mission is very specific, and by being specific I think you can be effective and create change. I also think and like that CFU is a varied group of individuals including meat eaters, vegans, vegetarians. Even though I adhere to a  plant-based diet, I think it is important for perspective to have a varied group of people, you are then more likely to see things from others’ points of view. By doing that I think your work can be more enlightened and effective.

CFU members and volunteers are from various states, from all walks of life and backgrounds which I think adds a unique perspective and creates a sense of balance in terms of opinion and information.

I have met so many people through CFU that I would not have otherwise, including those who live in farming communities and  towns, and whose knowledge on farming issues and concerns is well informed. I also like that CFU has managed to stick to its mission and yet collaborate with other groups without losing its identity.

This mission is extremely important to me as I believe that we are ethically obligated to treat farm animals as well as we possibly can before they are used for food. In my ideal world everyone would be vegan and there would be no animal suffering or cruelty at all. Until that day comes (I can dream right?!),  it is our moral duty to speak and act for those who cannot and stop at least the cruel practices which are tantamount to torture. It always baffles me that most of us treat our family pets with such care and compassion and yet think nothing of eating an animal which has been treated with such cruelty.

When not working with CFU, I work full time in human rights. I work for the non-profit Heartland Alliance as a Family Reunification Specialist. I have been involved with humanitarian work mainly working with refugees and asylees for many years.

I am also a member of the UN Women Chicago Chapter, Political Affairs Committee.  To balance out all the advocacy and serious stuff I like to spend time with my family friends and rescue dog Bear! 😀

I like to read, watch TV—especially UK and Nordic Noir crime dramas—go to the gym, practice yoga, cook, visit art galleries and shows and discover great places to eat and drink in Chicago. I am passionate about art and design, and am an aspiring designer— I love everything design related especially clothing and interiors! I also love to travel, and am a dual UK/Canadian citizen.

I have lived in seven countries including the UK, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland and Australia.

I have a dog. Bear is an 8 year old Shepherd mix we got from Mercer Animal Rescue based in Tennessee.

He is my shadow ! When not out walking with me, making lots of noise and a mess he loves snuggling in bed and being spoiled rotten!